Chelsea Vs Real Madrid
Chelsea Vs Real Madrid Wednesday 6 April, 2022 – 20:00 (BST)
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 4 April 2022)
Preview: 13-time European champions Real Madrid have achieved nearly ever feat imaginable in Europe’s elite club competition, except register a win over a particular English side. That side being last season’s tournament winners Chelsea who, in this first leg, will be out to preserve their flawless record in Europe at Stamford Bridge in 2021-22.
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Table of Contents
Chelsea – Blues awoken from slumber by Brentford?
Group H runners-up Chelsea are aiming to become the first English team to eliminate Real Madrid – the most decorated club in Champions League history – in successive editions, after their 3-1 aggregate victory last season en route to lifting the trophy for a second occasion. The Blues were convincing 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge in that tie and have won all four European contests in West London this term.
Preparations for Wednesday’s first-leg didn’t exactly go according to plan, though. A 4-1 home defeat at the hands of local Brentford ensuring a humbling return to Premier League action for Chelsea. However, under Thomas Tuchel this team boasts more clean sheets (10 in 15 matches) as well as the fewest goals conceded (0.47 per game) than any other Champions League side since the German took over the reigns.
Key Stat: No Chelsea player has contributed more goals in the Champions League under manager Thomas Tuchel than Cristian Pulisic (6 – 3 goals and 3 assists). This includes a goal and assist in last season’s tie against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid – Ancelotti targeting clean sheet on return to West London?
There isn’t much in this illustrious club’s history that hasn’t been achieved. However, if the Spanish giants are to add to their record haul of 13 titles in Europe’s premier club competition, they will have to break a few ducks along the way. More than eight years on from their latest win away to English opposition, Real Madrid resume their search for a maiden victory against Chelsea, in this their sixth attempt (D2 L3).
Los Blancos eased through as Group D winners, winning five, including all three away from home without conceding, and losing once. They were mere seconds from claiming a fourth successive away shutout in Paris in the Round of 16, before Kylian Mbappe struck four minutes into added time. All this serving as a precursor for the Benzema show in Madrid, the Frenchman’s hat-trick completing a remarkable comeback.
Key Stat: Karim Benzema has eight goals in this season’s Champions League, which is already a personal best for the 34-year-old in a single campaign. He needs one more to become the most prolific Frenchman in a single season of the competition.
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Chelsea Vs Real Madrid Betting Advice
Under 2.5 Goals is a shade of odds on but remains generously priced. Chelsea have been near impregnable in Europe since Thomas Tuchel took over. Across 15 Champions League matches under the German manager, the Blues have conceded on average 0.47 whilst accruing 10 clean sheets. Moreover, the defending champions are yet to concede a home goal across four home European contests in 2021-22.
Chelsea Vs Real Madrid – Key Facts:
- Wednesday’s first-leg will mark the sixth ever meeting between these clubs. Chelsea remain unbeaten thus far, winning two of five prior encounters which includes a 2-0 success at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals last season.
- Both teams aren’t giving much away defensively. Across four home Champions League matches this season, Chelsea are yet to concede (W4). Meanwhile Real Madrid were breached once across their four away contests (W3 L1).
- The pair experienced mixed returns to competition action over the weekend though. While Chelsea were beaten 4-1 at home by Brentford, Real Madrid consolidated top spot in La Liga with a 2-1 away win over Celta Vigo.
This is before factoring in Real Madrid’s impressive away record in the tournament so far. In four European away matches this term, the runaway Spanish La Liga leaders were breached on just one occasion, and it took a 94th minute solo effort from Kylian Mbappe in the Round of 16 to finally break the 13-time continental champions’ resistance. It isn’t the most exciting of selections, however, opposing goals looks the way to go here.
Best Betting Odds – Chelsea Vs Real Madrid
Chelsea – 11/10 (Bet365)
Draw – 12/5 (Betfair)
Real Madrid – 27/10 (WilliamHill)
